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Friday, 14 May 2010

Stamp, Stamp, Stamp...

I found some of these in the Art Centre a couple of weeks ago:

They are blank circles of lino-cutting material, with a sticky back. They're designed for use with a (rather expensive) lino-cutting and stamp-making system. The blanks themselves are quite cheap though - £1.99 for a pack of 10 - Bargain!

So, I bought some, because at home I already had these:

Yes, a lino-cutting set.

I haven't done any lino-cut printing for years and years (since I was a teenager!). However, after my printmaking course in January, I really wanted to get back into printmaking at some point.

Lino prints are relatively cheap and easy to make. Unlike many printing plates, lino-cuts can be printed using manual methods, rather than you having to have a press. Obviously a press makes it easier and gives more scope, but you can use a flat hand, a spoon-back or some other pressing tools to transfer your image, so long as it's not too complex.

So, I had bought some more lino-cutting tools and a couple of bits of that hard, grey lino. And done nothing. Too busy doing lots of other things instead...

But yesterday I really fancied having a go. And there were those great little discs, just waiting to be tried out.

I have been wanting a Butterfly stamp for a while now (who doesn't like butterflies?).

So, I made one:

I drew round the lino disc, then drew a design with a soft pencil.

I placed the design over the disc and rubbed a faint pencil impression onto it, then drew over that with a permanent fibre-tipped pen. I cut the design out of the lino disc. It was much easier than the "grey lino" I am used to, as this stuff is lovely and soft. You have to soak the old-style lino in hot water, to soften it up, but this is just great - all ready to use and it's like cutting through cold butter.

Then I stuck the disc to a milk-bottle top, as a handle.

This is what the stamp looks like... I love the lino-cutty texture of it. I could make it all smooth between the butterflies, but somehow I prefer it like this. The prints produced will have that "lino-cut print look", which I really like.

and here are some test prints.

This was the original test print, before I added extra marks to the butterflies.

The stamp was mounted on a large acrylic block for this print. I think it gave a clearer, crisper print, so I may try this - or another more solid handle - next time, instead of the milk-bottle lid (which is hollow).

I really enjoyed making my stamp and have plans for some more soon! Another, different butterfly, perhaps a tree... hmm, thinking of ideas myself - do you have any good ones for me to try?

Oh, and if anyone knows where I can buy some fine-detail carving tools, I'd love to know!

Dear LizzieThis is my passion as I teach stamp carving at The Make Lounge. I can answer some of your questions! The tool blades do not come any finer than you already have but you can make finer marks by just not pressing so hard. A very light touch can be gained through experience! Your first attempt looks very good!As it is lino rather than rubber, then it's not so easy to ink and stamp. With rubber you can tap it on a stamp pad and get a great impression. With lino the best impression is to be gained from using printing ink and a roller and then burnishing the print with the back of a spoon.Keep on doing what you are doing though, it looks grand. And yes! Do a house{*}